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The American politician who is the most difficult to get along with may not be President Trump after all. It may be Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
First of all, I called my shot. Back in January 2016, the Village Elliot predicted both a Trump victory and a strong Sanders candidacy:
The week after Trump was elected, I also predicted that the President would not be able to get any meaningful legislation on his desk. My belief was that the Mitch McConnell (and let's give Paul Ryan some credit also) policy of 100% obstruction of President Obama's agenda would carry over to the new Administration. Check it out:
You know what? I was right. I don't want this article to seem like I am touting President Trump's diplomatic skills, other than in comparison with Senator McConnell's.
Senate Republicans could not get along with President Obama; could not get along with Senate Democrats when the Dems were in the majority (highest partisanship and frequency of straight party-line voting in history), and now they still can not get along with Democrats, and they can not get along with the Republican President either. Senator McConnell is the most ineffective personality in US politics.
Even though President Trump is the most antagonizing and divisive personality in the White House in history, he was able to carry out a bipartisan deal, whereas Senator McConnell could not. Moreover the Senator whined like a child because the system worked the way it is supposed to. Is that the best the Republicans can do?
President Trump, for all the outrageous things he has done, has nevertheless been able to work with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer. This minor diplomacy has been far beyond the capabilities of supposed political mastermind McConnell.
The Republican agenda is untenable. There has to be a better health care plan besides destroying the healthcare insurance system and giving more money to the richest Americans in the form of tax breaks. Tax reform is going to again give money to rich Americans, while deliberately destabilizing the American economy by increasing the deficit. I'm all about fiscal restraint and limited government, but that is not what this is. Senator McConnell has led the Republican party far, far astray from its roots, or indeed any credible form of government.
A few Republicans have broken ranks with McConnell publicly. My suspicion is that many more have voiced serious concerns to him in private.
The fact is, Mitch McConnell can not cut a deal with anyone. Not with the Democrats. Not with his own Republicans. Not with a Democratic President. Not with a Republican President.
Can we please get someone else in his place?
A few Republicans have broken ranks with McConnell publicly. My suspicion is that many more have voiced serious concerns to him in private.
The fact is, Mitch McConnell can not cut a deal with anyone. Not with the Democrats. Not with his own Republicans. Not with a Democratic President. Not with a Republican President.
Can we please get someone else in his place?
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